If you’ve ever stared at a half-used roll of Freshpet and wondered, “Can I just freeze this stuff?”, you’re not alone. Every year thousands of well-meaning pet parents toss expensive fresh food because the “use within 7 days” date snuck up on them. The good news: you can absolutely freeze Freshpet dog food—if you do it the right way. Done incorrectly, you’ll waste money, lose nutrients, and risk turning your pup’s gourmet meal into an icy brick of disappointment.
Below, you’ll find the 2025-tested playbook for freezing, thawing, and storing Freshpet so it stays safe, palatable, and packed with the amino acids your dog needs. No hype, no product plugs—just veterinarian-aligned science and real-world kitchen hacks you can use tonight.
Top 10 Can You Freeze Freshpet Dog Food
Detailed Product Reviews
1. A Better Dog Food | Chicken Dry Dog Food | Raw You Can See | High Protein Kibble + Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food
Overview: A Better Dog Food combines high-protein kibble with visible freeze-dried raw chicken, broccoli, and carrots, creating a hybrid diet that promises the convenience of dry food with the nutritional benefits of raw.
What Makes It Stand Out: The transparent approach—literally showing whole food ingredients—sets this apart from mystery-meat kibbles. The 35% protein content, ancient grains, and probiotics create a balanced formula that supports muscle development and digestive health.
Value for Money: At $7.66 per pound, this sits in the premium category. However, considering you’re essentially getting two products in one (kibble + freeze-dried raw), the price becomes more reasonable for quality-conscious pet parents.
Strengths and Weaknesses: The visible raw pieces and whole food ingredients build trust, while the Ph.D.-formulated recipe ensures nutritional completeness. The resealable bag adds convenience. However, some dogs might pick out only the freeze-dried pieces, and the price point may exclude budget-conscious owners.
Bottom Line: This innovative hybrid offers excellent nutrition for dogs who deserve the best of both worlds. Perfect for owners wanting raw benefits without the mess or hassle.
2. I AND LOVE AND YOU Wet Dog Food – Flew The Coop Variety Pack – Chicken + Turkey, Grain Free, Filler Free 13oz can, 6pk
Overview: I AND LOVE AND YOU’s Flew The Coop variety pack delivers grain-free wet food featuring real chicken and turkey in moisture-rich formulas that keep mealtime exciting.
What Makes It Stand Out: This brand eliminates common fillers like corn, wheat, and soy while maintaining competitive pricing. The variety pack format prevents mealtime boredom, and the 13oz cans provide excellent value for multi-dog households.
Value for Money: At $0.22 per ounce, this represents exceptional value for grain-free wet food. The six-can variety pack offers convenience and cost savings compared to buying individual flavors.
Strengths and Weaknesses: The hydration boost benefits dogs who don’t drink enough water, while the grain-free formula suits sensitive stomachs. The filler-free approach means more nutritional bang per bite. However, the high moisture content means you’ll feed more volume compared to dry food, and some dogs may prefer pate over chunks.
Bottom Line: An affordable grain-free option that doesn’t compromise on quality. Ideal for budget-conscious owners seeking variety and hydration benefits.
3. I AND LOVE AND YOU Stir and Boom Dehydrated Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food – Beef – Grain Free, Real Meat, No Fillers, 1lb Bag
Overview: Stir and Boom offers versatile dehydrated raw food featuring beef hearts as the primary ingredient, serving either dry as crunchy bites or rehydrated as savory gravy.
What Makes It Stand Out: The flexibility to serve wet or dry makes this incredibly versatile. Using beef hearts as the first ingredient provides nutrient-dense organ meat that’s often missing from commercial foods. The 28% protein content and added pre/probiotics support optimal health.
Value for Money: At $19.88 for 1lb, this seems expensive until you consider that rehydration creates 4x the volume. The concentrated nutrition means smaller serving sizes, stretching your dollar further.
Strengths and Weaknesses: The non-GMO ingredients and grain-free formula appeal to health-conscious owners. The organ meat provides superior nutrition compared to muscle meat alone. However, preparation time (if rehydrating) and the premium price may deter some buyers.
Bottom Line: Excellent choice for owners seeking raw nutrition with convenience. The versatility and quality justify the investment for your dog’s health.
4. Freshpet Healthy & Natural Dog Food, Fresh Chicken Recipe, 5.5lb
Overview: Freshpet’s refrigerated chicken recipe offers gently steam-cooked fresh food made with US farm-raised chicken and visible vegetables, providing a minimally processed alternative to traditional dog food.
What Makes It Stand Out: The refrigeration requirement signals real freshness—no preservatives needed. The gentle steam cooking retains nutrients while ensuring food safety. Visible ingredients and the absence of meat meals demonstrate quality commitment.
Value for Money: At $0.52 per ounce, this premium fresh food costs significantly more than kibble but delivers superior nutrition and palatability. The 5.5lb bag provides approximately 10-12 meals for medium dogs.
Strengths and Weaknesses: The fresh, whole ingredients and gentle cooking process maximize nutrient retention. Dogs typically find fresh food more palatable than processed alternatives. However, the refrigerated storage requirement limits convenience, and the short shelf life after opening requires careful meal planning.
Bottom Line: Worth the splurge for dogs deserving restaurant-quality meals. Perfect for picky eaters or those with digestive sensitivities.
5. Freshpet Healthy & Natural Dog Food, Fresh Beef Roll, 6lb
Overview: Freshpet’s beef roll delivers fresh, gently cooked nutrition in a convenient roll format, featuring US beef and vegetables you can actually see.
What Makes It Stand Out: The roll format allows precise portion control—simply slice what you need. The steam-cooking process preserves nutrients while creating an appealing texture that dogs love. No meat meals or by-products ensures quality protein sources.
Value for Money: While pricing isn’t listed, Freshpet typically commands premium prices. The concentrated nutrition and reduced waste from exact portioning help offset costs. The 6lb roll feeds longer than expected due to high digestibility.
Strengths and Weaknesses: The roll format eliminates the mess of scooping kibble while providing exact portions. The fresh ingredients and gentle cooking support optimal digestion. However, refrigeration requirements and limited availability (compared to shelf-stable foods) create logistical challenges.
Bottom Line: An excellent upgrade from kibble for committed pet parents. The convenience factor and quality ingredients make this fresh food worth seeking out.
6. Freshpet Dog Food, Slice and Serve Roll, Grain Free Chicken Recipe, 1.5 Lb
Overview:
Freshpet’s Grain-Free Chicken Slice & Serve Roll delivers refrigerated, minimally-processed nutrition that looks and smells like real food. The 1.5 lb chub is designed to be cut into patties, making portion control simple for small-to-medium dogs or training rewards.
What Makes It Stand Out:
Unlike shelf-stable kibble, this roll arrives cold, signaling true freshness. The ingredient panel reads like a grocery list—US farm-raised chicken, carrots, spinach—without the usual suspects of corn, wheat, soy or anonymous “meals.” The grain-free formula is ideal for dogs with itchy skin or sensitive stomachs.
Value for Money:
Refrigerated food always costs more per calorie than kibble, but here you’re paying for whole-muscle meat (not rendered powders) and the logistics of cold-chain shipping. For households already buying organic produce or raw diets, the price feels fair; budget shoppers will wince.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: 100 % natural chicken first, visible veggie bits, soft texture that hides pills, no artificial preservatives.
Cons: 14-day fridge life creates waste for single-dog homes, plastic wrap is messy to peel, availability spotty in rural stores.
Bottom Line:
If your dog turns up his nose at dry food or suffers grain allergies, this roll is one of the freshest commercial options available. Stock only what you can use within two weeks and you’ll have a tail-wagging convert.
7. Freshpet Dog Food, Multi-Protein Complete Meal, Chicken, Beef, Egg and Salmon Recipe, 3Lb
Overview:
Freshpet packs four animal proteins—chicken, beef, egg and salmon—into a 3 lb refrigerated loaf that resembles a holiday terrine. Chunky carrots and peas are visible in every slice, telegraphing wholesomeness to picky guardians.
What Makes It Stand Out:
Multi-protein recipes usually rely on rendered meals; this roll uses fresh, US-sourced meats and whole egg. Gentle steam-cooking preserves omega-3s from salmon, supporting silky coats without fish-oil supplements. The larger 3 lb size suits multi-dog households better than the 1.5 lb chubs.
Value for Money:
Priced mid-way between boutique kibble and frozen raw, the roll delivers high biological-value protein in a ready-to-serve form. You’ll feed 20–30 % less by weight than kibble because of moisture density, stretching the bag farther than it first appears.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: four proteins reduce allergy risk from single-meat overload, shiny-coat omegas built-in, soft texture for seniors with worn teeth.
Cons: strong aroma straight from the fridge, requires dedicated cold storage space, can crumble when slicing ultra-thin.
Bottom Line:
For guardians wanting raw benefits without thaw time, this loaf is the next best thing. Rotate it in as a topper or sole diet and expect glossier fur within a month.
8. Freshpet Fresh From the Kitchen, Healthy & Natural Dog Food, Chicken Recipe, 1.75lb
Overview:
Marketed as “home-cooked” style, this 1.75 lb Freshpet recipe features shredded chicken breast in a light broth with carrots and spinach. It ships in a resealable plastic tub rather than a roll, letting owners scoop rather than slice.
What Makes It Stand Out:
The gentle steam-cook process keeps meat fibers intact, so dogs actually chew instead of gulping. Clinical feeding trials (cited on packaging) show improved stool quality, a boon for tummy-troubled pups. The tub format reduces fridge odor transfer—no more onion-scented milk.
Value for Money:
You pay a slight premium over the roll for the convenience of scoop-ability and the added broth moisture. One tub feeds a 30 lb dog for roughly three days, making it an affordable fresh upgrade from cans.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: proven digestive benefits, resealable tub limits spoilage, appealing shredded texture for finicky eaters.
Cons: shorter shelf life once opened (7 days), tub plastic not curb-side recyclable everywhere, protein percentage lower than roll variants due to broth.
Bottom Line:
If your dog’s gut is the weak link, this is the Freshpet line to trust. Start with half the recommended amount mixed into kibble to avoid sudden diet transitions.
9. I and love and you Irresist-a-Bowls Freeze Dried Dog Food – Chicken + Duck- Prebiotics, Grain Free, Filler Free, Meal Enchancer, 9oz Pouch, 4pk
Overview:
“I and love and you” freeze-dried nuggets combine USA chicken and duck into lightweight shards that can rehydrate in seconds or serve as a crunchy topper. The 9 oz pouch arrives as a four-pack, letting small dogs sample without commitment.
What Makes It Stand Out:
Multi-purpose versatility is the headline: sprinkle over kibble, feed dry as treats, or reconstitute with warm water for a complete meal. Added prebiotics (chicory root) feed gut flora, reducing post-meal gas. The brand’s playful copy and non-GMO pledge appeal to millennial pet parents.
Value for Money:
At $6.60 per pound before rehydration, the cost looks steep—until you factor in the removal of water weight. One pouch rehydrates to roughly 1.8 lbs of food, dropping the effective price to competitive levels versus canned premium food.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: grain-free, filler-free, doubles as high-value training treat, shelf-stable for camping.
Cons: dusty crumble at bottom of bag, rehydration ratio not printed clearly, duck scent can linger on fingers.
Bottom Line:
Keep a pouch in the pantry for picky nights, travel, or medication camouflage. It’s the canine equivalent of instant cup-of-soup—nutritious, fast, and dog-approved.
10. Freshpet Beef, Chicken & Turkey Homestyle Creations Dog Food, 16 OZ
Overview:
Freshpet’s Homestyle Creations blends beef, chicken and turkey with brown rice and garden veggies in a 16 oz steam-cooked pouch. The homestyle marketing evokes Sunday dinner, portioned for small breeds or used as a kibble mixer.
What Makes It Stand Out:
While most Freshpet lines are grain-free, this recipe embraces brown rice for slow-burn energy—ideal for active dogs that burn through carbs. The triple-protein mix reduces the chance of single-protein fatigue, and the 1 lb size eliminates waste for toy breeds.
Value for Money:
Positioned as an entry-level fresh food, the pouch costs less per ounce than the brand’s gourmet tubs. One pouch stretches across four meals for a 15 lb dog, translating to roughly the price of a gourmet coffee per day.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: wholesome grains for stamina, visible meat chunks, easy tear-open pouch, no synthetic colors.
Cons: contains rice—avoid if grain-sensitive, not resealable once opened, limited distribution compared to rolls.
Bottom Line:
Think of it as a home-cooked meal without the apron. Perfect for weekend topper rotations or small dogs that deserve fresh food without the cold-chain commitment of larger rolls.
Why Freezing Freshpet Isn’t Obvious
Freshpet is sold in the refrigerator case, not the freezer aisle, for a reason: it’s a “fresh” product with high moisture and no traditional preservatives. That means its cellular structure, fat balance, and probiotic load behave differently under sub-zero conditions than kibble or canned food. Understanding the “why” behind the company’s cautious language helps you sidestep texture changes, nutrient loss, and potential bacterial rebound once the food thaws.
The Science of Fresh Food Preservation
Freezing slows enzymatic activity and microbial growth by turning water into ice crystals. The faster the freeze, the smaller the crystals—and the less damage to proteins and cell walls. Freshpet’s soft, paste-like texture is especially vulnerable to large, jagged crystals that separate water from fat, creating that unappetizing “curdled” look dogs refuse to touch. Flash-freezing at –30 °C (–22 °F) or colder is ideal, but most home freezers run around –18 °C (0 °F). We’ll show you how to bridge that gap.
Safety First: What Veterinarians Say
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) considers frozen raw or fresh diets safe when core temperatures stay at or below –18 °C for at least 24 h and when thawing occurs under refrigeration. The caveat: once any part of the food reaches 4 °C (40 °F), the seven-day “fresh” clock restarts—whether you originally froze it on day 1 or day 6. Mark your calendar accordingly.
Freezer-Ready Packaging: How to Prep Freshpet
Original plastic sleeves are oxygen-permeable; they’ll allow freezer burn and odor absorption within weeks. Instead, press the food into thin, flat sheets inside heavy-duty, BPA-free freezer bags. Remove every last air pocket with a straw or immersion-water displacement method, then double-wrap in aluminum foil for an extra vapor barrier. Flat sheets freeze faster, thaw faster, and let you break off single-meal portions without defrosting the entire roll.
Portion Control: Meal-Size Strategies
A 50-pound dog eating 1.5 lbs per day needs roughly 680 g. Pre-portioning into 170 g “pucks” using a silicone muffin tray means you can thaw exactly two pucks per meal—no guessing, no waste. Tap the frozen pucks out, transfer to a labeled bag, and you’ve got a month of grab-and-go meals.
Flash-Freezing at Home Without a Blast Chiller
Spread your pucks or patties on a parchment-lined metal baking sheet, leaving space between each piece. Slide the sheet onto the freezer’s bottom shelf (the coldest zone) for 2–3 h. Once the surface is hard, transfer to final storage bags. This “open-air pre-freeze” mimics commercial flash-freezing and slashes crystal size by up to 30 %.
Optimal Freezer Zones and Temperature Settings
Domestic freezers cycle through temperature spikes every time the door opens. Store Freshpet in the back center, never the door, and drop the thermostat to –23 °C (–10 °F) for the first 48 h to lock in quality; then return to –18 °C for long-term holding. A cheap freezer thermometer with min/max memory helps you confirm consistency.
Thawing Techniques That Retain Nutrients
Refrigerator thawing at 2–4 °C (35–39 °F) is the gold standard—plan on 12 h for 170 g pucks. Need it faster? Submerge a sealed bag in 4 °C ice water; change the water every 30 min. Never use warm water or a microwave: heat above 30 °C (86 °F) oxidizes omega-3s and kills natural probiotics.
Refreezing Rules: Yes, No, Maybe?
AVMA guidelines allow one refreeze—provided the food never rose above 4 °C and spent less than 2 h cumulative in the danger zone. Use an instant-read thermometer to verify the center stayed cold; when in doubt, feed that portion within 24 h or discard.
Recognizing Freezer Burn and Oxidation
Grayish-brown spots, dry spongy texture, or a cardboard-like smell signal sublimation and fat rancidity. A light freezer-burn rim can be trimmed; pervasive discoloration means nutrient loss and should be tossed. Prevent it by vacuum-sealing and using within three months for rolls, six months for patties.
Shelf-Life Expectations: Fridge vs. Freezer
Unopened rolls: 7 days past the sell-by date in the fridge, 4 months in the freezer. Opened rolls: 5 days in the fridge, 3 months in the freezer. Cooked Freshpet (yes, some owners lightly warm it): 3 days in the fridge, 2 months in the freezer—warming accelerates fat oxidation.
Traveling With Frozen Freshpet
Use a hard-sided cooler, 2:1 ice-to-food ratio, and keep a data-logging thermometer inside. For air travel, freeze pucks solid, pack in a carry-on soft cooler, and declare the food at TSA; frozen pet food is exempt from the 3-1-1 liquid rule if it’s “solid to the touch” when screened.
Special Considerations for Puppies and Seniors
Puppies need every calorie to count; nutrient degradation from poor freezing can stunt growth. Seniors often have compromised immunity; even minor bacterial upticks during sloppy thawing can trigger GI upset. Both groups benefit from single-thaw portions and a final temp check with a food thermometer before serving.
Common Mistakes That Spoil Freshpet
- Storing in the door shelf (temperature swings).
- Thawing on the counter > 2 h.
- Using original packaging alone.
- Overfilling bags—air pockets equal freezer burn.
- Forgetting to label the freeze date.
Budget Hacks: Buying in Bulk and Freezing Smart
Watch for 3-day expiry markdowns—stores often slash prices 30–50 %. Buy the limit, race home, and flash-freeze within 1 h. A $25 vacuum sealer pays for itself after two bulk purchases, and pre-portioning saves an average of 12 % on food waste over the year.
Eco-Friendly Storage Solutions
Silicone “stasher” bags last 3,000+ uses and withstand –40 °C. Pair them with washable beeswax outer wraps to eliminate disposable foil. When you’ve stockpiled enough pucks, line your freezer bins with reclaimed cardboard to create airflow channels—energy savings up to 8 % and zero plastic guilt.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can freezing Freshpet kill the probiotics listed on the label?
Most strains become dormant but survive; rapid thawing under 4 °C keeps cultures viable.
2. Why does my dog refuse previously frozen Freshpet?
Texture change: try serving it slightly chilled rather than room temp to restore firmness.
3. Is it safe to freeze Freshpet that expires tomorrow?
Yes—freeze before midnight of the expiry date and use within three months.
4. Can I freeze Freshpet in metal ice-cube trays?
Absolutely; stainless steel transfers cold quickly—just cover with parchment to prevent ice crystals on top.
5. How do I know if thawed Freshpet went bad?
Sour odor, slimy film, or any pinkish liquid that separates and smells off.
6. Does freezing alter the guaranteed analysis percentages?
Macro nutrients stay the same; vitamin C and some B-vitamins may drop 5–10 % over three months.
7. Can I mix frozen Freshpet with kibble straight from the freezer?
Better to thaw first; frozen chunks create condensation that softens kibble and invites mold.
8. What’s the quickest vet-approved thaw for a 50 lb roll?
Keep it sealed, submerge in 4 °C ice water, replace water every 20 min—plan 4 h total.
9. Are there any dogs that should never eat frozen-then-thawed Freshpet?
Immunosuppressed pups on chemotherapy; consult your oncologist first.
10. Can I cook Freshpet, then freeze the cooked portions?
Yes, but limit storage to two months and add a natural antioxidant like vitamin E oil to curb rancidity.